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Israel making 'every possible mistake' in Lebanon, Tel Aviv University vice-rector says

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Context piece
  • Tel Aviv University Vice-Rector Professor Eyal Zisser argues Israel is making strategic errors in its campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
  • Zisser contends that pressuring Shiite civilians strengthens Hezbollah and that Israel should instead target the group's infrastructure and training camps.
  • He also noted that Israel has been drawn into a costly war of attrition in southern Lebanon and that Iran is emerging from recent events with a sense of achievement.

Professor Eyal Zisser, Vice-Rector of Tel Aviv University, asserts that Israel is committing "every possible mistake" in its handling of the conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Speaking on 103fm radio, Zisser criticized the current IDF strategy, particularly its impact on the Shiite civilian population. He argued that military pressure on civilians does not weaken Hezbollah but instead bolsters the group's narrative of victimhood, fostering cohesion and support.

What needs to be done is to attack Hezbollah, meaning its training camps and its social and economic infrastructure, and not relent.

— Professor Eyal ZisserOutlining his proposed strategy for dealing with Hezbollah.

Zisser drew parallels between the situation in Lebanon and policies in Gaza, suggesting that similar approaches in the Palestinian territory had inadvertently strengthened Hamas. He proposed a shift in strategy, advocating for systemic attacks directly targeting Hezbollah's training camps and its social and economic infrastructure, emphasizing the need for relentless pressure.

That only reinforces the message of ‘we [Hezbollah] are the perpetual victim,’ strengthens cohesion, and rallies support.

— Professor Eyal ZisserExplaining why he believes pressuring Shiite civilians is counterproductive.

The professor also described Israel's involvement in southern Lebanon as a "war of attrition," where soldiers are being lost near the border. He questioned the utility of remaining in a limited zone without a clear strategic advantage, stating, "There is no point in staying in southern Lebanon if we remain in this two-kilometer stretch alone." Zisser expressed skepticism about relying on a "deceptive ceasefire" and highlighted the ongoing weekly casualties.

Today, we have been foolishly dragged into a war of attrition in southern Lebanon.

— Professor Eyal ZisserDescribing the current state of the conflict in southern Lebanon.

Furthermore, Zisser commented on Iran's perceived victory amid ongoing negotiations with the United States. He compared Iran's claims to those of former Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser after the 1956 war. Zisser suggested that Iran, despite enduring significant attacks, emerges from the recent conflict with renewed confidence and a sense of achievement, which also influences the perceptions of Gulf states regarding Iran's regional power.

There is no point in staying in southern Lebanon if we remain in this two-kilometer stretch alone, and every week, unfortunately, we count our casualties.

— Professor Eyal ZisserQuestioning the effectiveness of Israel's current military presence in southern Lebanon.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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